Red Rabbit, the Italian sibling to owner Luke Shimp’s Red Cow mini-empire, is quickly coming together in the North Loop. The restaurant's 100 staffers began training shortly after Thanksgiving. Opening date? Dec. 20.

The one-story building has graced the corner of Washington and 2nd since 1906, and over the years it has housed an unlikely series of enterprises. The last tenant was an imported auto mechanic’s garage, and Shimp & Co.’s architectural archeology unearthed signs that the building was once home to a house of burlesque; look for a hand-lettered show times painted onto the dining room’s back wall.

The 50-seat bar’s decor best demonstrates the structure’s early 20th-century roots, with an original yellow brick wall and a restored bead board-and-beam ceiling. The zinc-topped bar is the domain of beverage director Ian Lowther and his ambitious cocktail program. Sommelier Jason Kallsen oversees a program of 42 wines by the glass (including four sparkling options; one is an unfiltered prosecco), all maintained by a cutting-edge, nitrogen gas-fueled preservation system.

Craft beers will occupy 19 of 24 taps; the remaining will be devoted to a house-made cocktail, a house-made cold press coffee, a pair of house-made limoncellos and an Aperol-prosecco spritz.

A prominent feature in the 80-seat dining room is a wall covered in horizontal cedar planks, the wood charred in a kiln and clear-coated. “I’m not a big barn wood guy,” said Shimp with a laugh. And yes, those are filament bulb light fixtures, but not too many of them. “We’re going for an industrial look, so we have some filaments,” he said. “But we’re trying not to overdo it, because they’re used everywhere.”

Outside, the property boasts a North Loop rarity: a parking lot. Its original 21 stalls were whittled down to 12, sacrificed to make room for a larger patio (a garage door between the bar and patio will bring the outside in) and a thousand square-foot kitchen addition. Shimp will operate a daily valet parking service.

Another original plan that’s been placed on hold is the patio’s greenhouse, which would stretch the outdoor seating season.

“We still might do it,” said Shimp. “But it’s going to cost $185,000, and I’ve already spent enough for now. We’ll look at it again at the end of next year.”

In the kitchen, executive chef Todd Macdonald and chef de cuisine Drew Yancey are focusing on pasta and pizza (all in the $10 to $16 range), in a format that Macdonald describes as “elevating the classics.”

The menu’s 10 pastas will include four made-on-the-premises options, with the rest coming from Italy’s Rustichella d’Abruzzi.

“Everyone likes basil-pine nut pesto,” said Shimp. “This is Todd’s idea of a 21st century take on pesto.”

There will also be a half-dozen shareable entrees (most landing in the mid-$20s) that include a chicken Parmesan.

“It’s the Italian schnitzel,” said Macdonald.

As for the red salutation on the building’s exterior, it’s not a direct lift from Red Cow.

“But it’s still in the red family,” said Shimp with a laugh. The exact shade was chosen through a process of elimination, matching red wines with paint chips until landing on the right one, a pinot noir.

The chain's first Twin Cities outlet opened for business this morning at 5 a.m. at 7820 N. 42nd St. (that's roughly 42nd and Winnetka) in New Hope.

Basic doughnuts run 99 cents a pop, and $9.99 a dozen. "Fancy" go for $1.59, and "deluxe" are $2.49. A plain bagel is also 99 cents; add "cream cheese spread" and the price jumps to $1.99. Croissants are also 99 cents.

Sandwiches -- from ham-egg-cheese on an English muffin to turkey-Cheddar-bacon on ciabatta are $1.79 to $3.99.

And yes, the reputation is true: When I dropped in at 9 a.m., there were three police cars in the parking lot. And 11 doughnut lovers ahead of me, ordering Boston Creme Croissant Donuts and Candy Cane Crunch Donuts. I stayed old school.

The plan is for 40 Dunkin' Donuts to open across Minnesota over the next six years. (There are more than 11,000 outlets worldwide, including 8,000-plus in 41 states and the District of Columbia). East metro doughnut fans, take note: the chain's next outlet is set to open Dec. 14 at 2425 Rice St. in Roseville.